AIADMK turns down DMK’s demand for all-party meet

The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu on Friday turned down a demand by the main opposition DMK to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Cauvery river water issue.

“For sure, I feel there is no necessity to convene the state Assembly, pass a resolution and hold an all-party meeting on the issue,” veteran AIADMK leader and party Organising Secretary Panruti Ramachandran said.

He was speaking to reporters hours after DMK treasurer and Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin called on Finance Minister O Panneerselvam and asked the state government to lead an all-party delegation to the Prime Minister in order to urge him to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

Ramachandran said, “The supreme court is going to deliver its verdict on Cauvery row on October 18. At this juncture, there is no need for all-party meeting.

Stalin and other leaders on Friday met Panneerselvam and public works minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, seeking an all-party meeting and a special sitting of the legislative assembly to discuss the Cauvery water issue.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders led by Stalin handed over a copy of a resolution passed in a meeting with farmer association members held on Thursday at the party’s headquarters.